Grilled Watermelon

If you aren't grilling watermelon, it's time to start! In less than 10 minutes, you can transform it into a dish everyone will remember, and you can do it with just a few minutes on the grill. Add your favorite seasonings to make it sweet or savory.

As we continue grilling all the fruit, watermelon is quickly becoming one of our summertime favorites. When watermelon is grilled, it takes on this amazing flavor that's sweet and slightly smoky from the char of the grill. Trust me, this will be the show-stopper at any summer meal.

The other thing I love about grilled watermelon, and honestly any grilled fruit, is all the different ways you can use it. It tastes fantastic on its own, especially with some freshly squeezed lime juice and salt. We also add chili powder or Tajin for spice.

It also makes an incredible salad with salty feta cheese and fresh herbs. For dessert, pair it with lime sorbet for the most refreshing summer dessert.

Before we get into the recipe, if there is one thing you must do when making grilled watermelon, it's to add some salt. The salt is crucial in bringing out the flavor and enhancing it. Flaky sea salt is my favorite, but kosher salt works as well. Just make sure to add a touch of salt before serving. You won't regret it!

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here is everything you need to make this grilled watermelon recipe:

• Watermelon: Use sweet and juicy watermelon for the best results. The smaller seedless ones are a great option. Cut into wedges, season, then cook on the grill.
• Olive oil: Brush both surfaces of the watermelon wedges with oil to prevent them from sticking to the grates. You can use other types of oil like coconut or avocado oil.
• Lime: Squeeze on top of the grilled watermelon slice to brighten its flavor and enhance sweetness.
• Salt: A sprinkle of salt helps bring out the natural sweetness as well as the juices of the watermelon to the surface.

Want to make other grilled fruit recipes? Try out Grilled Peaches, Grilled Pineapple, and Grilled Figs next!

How to Cut a Watermelon for Grilling

Because watermelons are typically big fruits, you’ll need to cut them in a way that will make them easier to grill. Here's how to do that:

1. Wash the watermelon: First things first, wash the watermelon thoroughly. Make sure the rind is clean because we will keep it on.
2. Slice into quarters: Slice it in half, crosswise. Then, cut each half in half again to end up with four watermelon quarters.
3. Cut into wedges: Cut the quarters into triangle wedges. From there, you can slice them into your desired thickness, ideally about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Smaller wedges are easier to move and flip once on the grill.

How to Grill Watermelon

Even though it may seem tricky to grill a watermelon since it may be something you haven't done before, it's easy. Follow these simple steps for the best results:

1. Cut into wedges: The best option for grilling is cutting the watermelon into wedges. Leave the rind on the watermelon as this helps it stay together when grilling. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat as you prep the watermelon.
2. Prep and season: Start by tasting a small piece of the watermelon to test its sweetness. Brush the watermelon slices with oil. Then, season with salt and any other seasonings you like. If the watermelon isn't very sweet, consider sprinkling it with a touch of sugar or brushing it with a bit of honey.
3. Grill: Once you have a hot grill, place the watermelon slices on the grill grates. Let cook for 2-3 minutes until there are beautiful grill marks and some char. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side. Be careful not to overcook since the watermelon can get mushy. The goal is to add some slightly smoky flavor and caramelize the sweet melon, not fully cook it.
4. Add flavor: For the best grilled watermelon, you'll want to add some extra flavor when it comes off the grill. This should always include a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or kosher salt. Salt really brings out the flavor. Other options include chili powder, lime juice, cilantro, mint, honey, or balsamic vinegar.

What does grilled watermelon taste like?

Grilling watermelon adds a slight smokiness and brings out some of the savory and sweet notes in the fruit. It still has that great sweet watermelon flavor but becomes more robust and interesting. It's really delicious!

You can switch up the flavor depending on what spices, seasoning, and flavors you add. For example, add fresh cilantro, lime juice, and chili powder to take it in a Mexican direction. Add fresh mint leaves, basil, honey, and balsamic vinegar to bring out some of the melon's savory sweetness. Serve it with sea salt and a drizzle of honey for a sweet and salty dessert. Add some coconut, vanilla, or lime sorbet.

Serving and Recipe Ideas

Grilled watermelon can be served in so many different ways: an easy side dish, a delicious salad, or a crave-worthy dessert. Here are some ideas that you may want to try:

• Grilled watermelon salad: Turn this into the most fantastic watermelon salad with thinly sliced red onion, feta cheese, fresh basil, mint, and honey. A grilled watermelon feta salad, if you will.
• Grilled watermelon skewers: Slice the watermelon into cubes and sprinkle with salt and lime juice. Skewer the watermelon cubes and grill. You can also make grilled fruit kabobs with other summer fruits.
• Grilled watermelon burger: Yes, you read that right! You can add grilled watermelon to a traditional hamburger the same way you can with grilled pineapple. Just remove the rind and cut the watermelon the same size as the burger patty.
• A healthy dessert: Serve it with Greek yogurt dip on the side. Use plain or flavored yogurt and jazz it up with fresh lime juice, lime zest, mint, and honey if it needs some sweetness. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or coconut sorbet for a cold dessert.
• As a fun summer side dish: I usually sprinkle the watermelon steaks with flaky sea salt for an easy side dish. I love serving this instead of a simple sliced watermelon with traditional sides like corn on the cob and potato salad.
• Perfect with sorbet: Favorites include coconut, lemon, and lime. It's also delicious with vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Can I make watermelon skewers?

These can also be grilled watermelon skewers or kabobs. Just cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes and thread them onto a skewer. Brush with oil and add seasonings. Then cook for 1-2 minutes per side.

If your mind works like mine, you may wonder if you can add other fruits. Absolutely! Consider adding cubed mango, pineapple, cantaloupe, or strawberries.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Watermelon is composed mainly of water so it can be a bit tricky to grill. Here’s how to grill watermelon like a pro:

• Don't overcook the watermelon: It only requires 3 minutes per side to get good grill marks and caramelize its natural sugars. The longer the watermelon stays on the grill, the more it will become mushy and almost inedible. It helps to cut it into thick slices for easier flipping.
• Use ripe watermelon: To check, thump the rind and listen for a deep hollow sound that may indicate that the watermelon is ripe. Another way to know is to check if its field spot is yellow.
• Watermelon wedges are best: Bigger slices may be more challenging to flip and handle on the grill.
• Experiment with toppings: Grilled watermelon wedges can be a unique vehicle for salsas and salads, creating a fun appetizer or snack.
• Add chili powder for an extra kick. Personally, I think everything is better with a little bit of heat and spice!

Storage and Reheating

Grilled watermelon should be eaten warm and fresh from the grill. I wouldn’t really recommend storing leftovers because cooked watermelon doesn’t keep well.

As such, make sure to cook only the amount that you can consume. You can also opt for mini watermelon if you’re grilling for just a few people.

For cut watermelon, store it by wrapping with plastic or saran wrap before putting in the fridge to ensure freshness. You can also remove the rind, slice it into cubes, and place in an airtight container.